Even though we are now entering the off season and temporary iron distance retirement, the dreaming season is beginning to sneak in to my thoughts. So often my mind wanders aimlessly around the mind's garden wondering about how I can make iron distance races that much better. This year the body didn't fail me at all. The legs felt "fine" to the end. Yet, my thoughts are clouded with idealistic dreams of how it would feel to glide along on a wave of fully fuelled euphoria. They say it is simply a case of practice. I thought I had.
This year's dreams are also dominated by faster times and shorter races. The half iron distance races have the greatest draw, like a bee to a sunflower. I like the idea of powering through that distance in under 6 hours. I'm beginning to feel that the length of race is where the body will find itself the happiest and most balanced, not to mention the reduced time consuming nature of it all. I just have to learn to let go of the leash of moderation and caution and trust in the training and simply go for it!
I'm hoping the first test of my body's speed will be the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon in a few weeks. A marathon is still just that. 26.2 miles of gruelling effort when, no matter what distance you body has experienced previously, you still fatigue and feel the pain. Hopefully, the 4 hour barrier can be broken and the first brick of the winding path laid towards a sub 6 hour half iron.
After that effort, I will look to a more local feel. Work schedule permitting, which is rarely does, I hope to find myself in the town of my youth. Gliding around it's hills and valleys competing in the Frieth Hilly 10k. This very hilly and heart maxing 10k hill-fest really is a fantastic race through the english countryside. It's popularity has boomed since it's inception a fews years ago, gaining reputation as one of the best 10k races in the south of England. Plus, it provides funds to the elementary school I attended as a young scallywag, which is an apt choice for my entry fee. I have only managed to secure the weekend off once before, but I truly hope to get out there with my wife and break my previous time of 50 minutes, making the Hilly an international affair. The last hill, a hill I have walked a thousand times through the middle of the village, is the "home stretch" and a lung buster at that. With the draw from the smell of the bacon butties dragging you magnetically up the hill to the finish, you'll be sure to finish.
After that, perhaps some down time to let the ankle improve and do a little rehab. Yes, perhaps I should be doing that now, but where's the fun in that?? With a winter full of snowy tempo runs, perhaps the body will make it out the other side quicker, faster and stronger. We shall have to wait and see.
Good luck to us all!
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